Adjustable skate



Nov. 7, 1961 E. v. PuLLr-:N 3,007,706

ADJUSTABLE SKATE Filed April 20, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 7,1961 E v PULLEN 3,007,706

ADJUSTABLE SKATE Filed April 20, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. r1.6 P56227' Falla United States Patent O 3,007,706 ADJUSTABLE SKATE Eric Victor Pullen, Pawtucket, RJ., assignor to Roshro Plastics Corporation, Pawtucket, RJ., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Apr. 20, 1959, Ser. No. 807,463 2 Claims. (Cl. 28011.26)

The present invention relates generally to a skate construction for children, -and more particularly to a toy roller skate or ice skate constructed primarily of molded plastic.

One of the basic problems which has been found to exist in the manufacture of plastic skates is the diiculty in providing a skate which may be readily `adjusted -to different lengths in yorder to accommodate different size feet `and `which may be readily and effectively locked in the desired position of adjustment. Since skates of the type with which the instant invention is concerned are directed primarily to use by children, it is incumbent that the skate be capable of adjustment by a child, and further that the locking arrangement be such that the presence of an adult or someone possessing a relatively high degree of strength is not necessary to per-form the locking operation. In addition, it is essential that once the skate is locked in its adjusted position, the lock be a positive and secure one, since in use a child may be moving at relatively high speeds on the skates, whether they be roller skates or ice skates, and hence it is obvious that if the adjustment should loosen during use, it is quite likely that an accident will result, such as the child tripping and falling thereby making an injury to the child possible.

It is therefore a primary object of my invention to provide a locking arrangement for an adjustable skate which is simple and easy to operate to the extent that the adjustment may be made and locked in position by a child without adult assistance.

Another important object of my invention is the provision of a locking arrangement for an adju-stable skiate which is positive and secure when the skate is in use, thereby obviating the likelihood of damage or injury to the child occasioned by a variance in the adjustment during use.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a locking arrangement which is particularly adapted for use with an adjustable skate constructed of molded plastic.

A further object is the provision of an adjustable skate of the character described having novel and improved fastening straps for securing the skate to the ankle of the wearer.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an adjustable skate having molded plastic heel and sole sections which are relatively movable with respect to each other in order to accommodate different size feet, said skate being so constructed as toI be usable either as roller skates or ice skates, the basic principles of the instant invention being equally applicable to either such use.

A further object is the provision of an adjustable skate of the character described which is simple and economically feasible to manufacture but which nevertheless is highly effective and durable in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by me for carrying out my invention:

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FIG. l is a side elevational view of an adjustable roller skate embodying the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof, the fastening strap being shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective of the fastening strap per se which forms la part of my invention;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the sole section per se of my adjustable skate;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the sole section per se, portions thereof being broken away and shown in section for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 9 is -a -top plan view of the heel section of my skate;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational vie-w of the heel section, with portions broken away for purposes of illustration;

FIG. l1 is a side elevational view, on a reduced scale, illustrating use of my invention in connection with an adjustable ice skate;

FIG. 12 is a perspective detail of the ice runners per se;

FIG. 13 is a perspective detail of the cam lever which forms a part of my invention;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1414 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 2, showing the locking finger in disengaged or unlocked position; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional View similar to that of FIG. 15 except that the locking finger is .shown -in engaged or lock-ing position.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown generally at 10 an ladjustable roller skate embodying my invention. 'Ihe skate 10 comprises a sole section shown generally at 12 (FIG. 7) and a heel section illustrated generally at 14 (FIG. 9). The aforesaid sole and heel sections are each preferably of integral molded plastic construction, and I have found that linear polyethylene may be effectively used in the manufacture of this invention, allthough it will be understood that the method of manufacture and the specific `constructional materials used are not critical to the inventive concept hereinafter to be set forth, and hence the ensuing description is not to be limited in so far as method of manufacture and constructional materials are concerned.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 Vand 8, it will be seen that the sole section 12 comprises a supporting surface 16 shaped generally to the conguration of the forward portion of a shoe sole and provided with `a slightly upstanding marginal flange 18, although the latter element is not necessary or essential. In order that the sole section 12 may be yan integral molding, there is provided an aperture 20 from which depends an integral hollow housing 22 having integral supporting gussets 24 'and further having a transversely extending opening 26 adjacent its lower extremity, the purpose of which will hereinafter become apparent. Housing 22 is further provided ywith a rearwardly extending extension 28 which extends integrally therefrom, the eX- tension 28 comprising a bottom wall 30, side walls 32, and an end wall 34, `and being open at its top. Thus, in elfect, the walls 30 and 32 define an upwardly disposed channel, it being important to note that the upper edges of the side walls 32 are at a level spaced somewhat below the plane of surface 16.

Integrally blanked from bottom wall 30 is a locking finger 36, said finger having a toothed locking dog 3S adjacent the said iingers free extremity, it being noted that said locking dog is upwardly disposed. The linger 36, and the locking dog 38 integrally formed thereon, normally assume a position wherein said finger and dog are spaced below the upper edges of side walls 32, as most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 15. In this position, the locking nger 36 and its locking dog 38 are inoperative, or, expressed differently, in a position of disengagement, as will hereinafter become apparent.

In order to pivot the locking finger 36 upwardly so that dog 38 may assume its operative or engaged position, there is provided a cam lever 49 (FIG. 13) consisting of an elongated handle 42, and a pair of outwardly disposed circular ears 44 at one extremity of said handle and having a chamfer or fiat 46 therebetween. The handle 42 is of slightly lesser width than that of locking finger 36 whereby said handle may extend freely through the slot 48 which is present in the bottom wall 30 as a result of the finger 36 being blanked therefrom. As will be seen most clearly in FIGS. 15 and 16, the cam lever 40 is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to extension 28, and, more specifically, bottom wall 30 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed, integral bearing projections 50, said bearings being positioned at opposite sides of slot 4.8 and being adapted to receive the circular ears 44 whereby the cam lever may be swung between the positions shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, respectively. As will be noted, the pivotal end of cam lever 40 is located -beneath the end of locking finger 36, whereupon when the cam lever is disposed in the position of FIG. 15 and the chamfer 46 is beneath the end of the locking finger, the latter is in its lower or disengaged psition. Conversely, when the cam lever is swung to the position of FIG. 16, the locking finger is cammed upwardly to its engaged or lock position.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and l0, it will be seen that the heel section 14 comprises a support surface 52 having a marginal flange 54, and further having flexible fastening straps 56 extending integrally therefrom. More Specifically, the straps `56 extend upwardly and forwardly from opposite sides of the heel section, one of said straps being provided with an integral buckle 58, the other of said straps having a plurality of openings 60 adapted to be engaged by an integral stud 62 to releasably maintain the straps in a desired position of adjustment whereby the skate is secured to the wearers foot. As shown in FIG. 5, the strap having the openings 60 therein is adapted to be threaded through the buckle 58 and is then pressed downwardly so that one of the openings 60 releasably engages the stud 62, as shown in dotted lines.

In molding the fastening straps 56, where said straps are formed integrally with the heel section 14, it has been found that due to mold limitations it is impossible to mold the straps so that they extend straight upwardly. On the other hand, it has been found that where the straps are molded straight outwardly from their connection to the heel section, there is a tendency for breakage to occur at the point of connection since in use the straps are necessarily bent upwardly to encompass the wearers ankle. In order to overcome this problem, I have specifically molded the fastening straps 56 so that they extend upwardly for a short distance and then extend outwardly, all in a manner clearly shown in FIG. 3 y0f the drawings. Since the straps may extend outwardly over a relatively large radius 64, there is little likelihood of breakage or cracking of the strap when it is manipulated upwardly and inwardly to encompass the wearers ankle, and no likelihood of breakage exists in so far as the point of connection between the strap and the heel section is concerned, since the flexing of the strap does not impart any substantial stress or strain at that point.

Still referring to FIGS. 9 and l0, heel section 14 is provided with an aperture 66 from which integrally depends a hollow housing 68 generally similar in size and configuration to the aforo-described housing 22 which depends from sole section l2. At its lower extremity the housing 68 is provided with a transversely extending opening 70, said opening 7G and the corresponding opening 26 in housing 22 being adapted to receive an axle 72 for mounting wheels 74 in a manner hereinafter to be more fully described.

Forwardly extending from the heel section 14 is an integral channel extension '76 consisting of a top wall 7S and depending side walls Sil. As will he seen, top Wall 78 is provided with an offset shoulder as at 82 whereby raised portion S4 may function as a guide when the heel and sole sections are slidably interengaged. Side walls Si? are spaced apart sufficiently so that the extension 76 may slidably receive extension 28 therein in telescoping relation, note FIG. 14. On the under surface of the top wall 78 there is provided a plurality of integrally spaced latching abutments 86, said latching abutments preferably taking the form of a toothed rack. Thus, when extensions 28 and '76 are slidably and telescopingly interengaged with each other, the heel and sole sections are free to slidably move with respect to` each other when cam lever 40 is in the position of FIG. l5 wherein the locking finger and its dog are in their lower or disengaged position. When the parts are so arranged, the heel and sole sections may be slidably moved with respect to each other in order to obtain a desired position of adjustment, and once such a desired adjustment iS obtained, the cam lever 40 is swung to the position of FIG. 16. This causes the locking finger 36 and its dog 38 to be cammed upwardly into locking engagment with the abutments or rack 86 whereupon the heel and sole sections are securely locked against relative sliding movement. It therefore will be seen that it is only necessary to swing the cam lever 40 to the position of FIG. 15 to free the heel and sole sections for relative movement with respect to each other, while, conversely, it is only necessary to swing the cam lever to the position of FIG. 16 to lock the sections in a desired position of adjustment. A greater or lesser range of adjustment can be obtained by increasing or decreasing the length of the rack 86. Also, although I prefer to mold the rack 86 and the locking finger 36 as an integral part of their respective sections, it will be obvious that these parts may be separate pieces assembled to their respective sections by any suitable means.

As will be seen most clearly in FIG. 7, the surface 16 is slotted as at 38, said slot being located directly above the extension 28. The various parts are dimensioned so that when the extensions 28 and 76 slidably and telescopingly interengage, the raised portion 84 of top wall 73 slides snugly into the slot 8Sy to guide the heel and sole sections during their relative movement, and at the same time, said surface 84 forms a substantially flush continuation of surface 16, note FIG. 2. The fact that surface I6 is spaced above extension 28 enables the surface 73, which is slightly wider and lower than surface 84, to slidably pass beneath the said surface I6, `and in this connection the opposite front and rear walls of housing 22 are provided wit-h aligned cutouts 90 (FIG. 4) through which extension 76 may slidably pass. By the same token, housing 6% is provided with opening 92 (FIG. 3) through which extension 28 may slidably pass.

The wheels 74% may be of any desirable form, although I prefer to utilize lmolded wheels of high impact plastic, such as cycolac plastic. As will be seen most clearly in FIGS. l and 6, the wheels I4 are provided with a central hub 94 and an outer rim 96 interconnected by an integral web 93. The axle 72 extends through the openings in the wheel hubs 94 and through the lateral openings 26 and 'lil in housings 22 and 68, respectively, and said axles are cappedV at their outermost extremities as at to maintain the wheels assembled. It will be noted that hubs 94 extend inwardly of the wheel proper and make bearing engagement with the side walls of the respective depending housing, as will be seen most clearly in FIG. 6. In order to reduce the friction resulting from this bearing engagement, the lower extremity of the housings 22 and 68 may be inwardly stepped as at 102.

As hereinbefore pointed out, the basic concepts of my invention are equally applicable to an adjustable ice skate, and an illustrative embodiment of this form of my invention is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings. It will be understood that the sole and heel sections '12 and 14 are identical in this form of my invention, the only difference being that instead of Ihaving wheels rotatably mounted -at the lower extremities of housings 22 and 68', there is mounted a specially designed ice runner shown generally at 104 in FIG. 12. The runner 104 is preferably of steel construction and, as will Ibe clearly seen, comprises an upper surface 106 and a pair of depending blades 108. A pair of oppositely disposed apertured mounting tabs 110 are provided `adjacent the forward portion of runner '4, said apertured tabs being adapted to receive a mounting pin 112 which extends therethrough and through the apertures 26 in housing 22. Adjacent the rear end of runner 104 there is provided a pair of opposite/ly disposed mounting tabs 114, each having aligned elongated slots 116. As will be obvious, the elongated slots 116 are to compensate for different positions of adjustment for the skate, it being understood that as the heel and sole sections are slidably moved with respect to each other in the manner hereinbefore described, the mounting pin 118 which extends through slots 116 and the lateral opening 70 in housing 28 will move within the said slots. It will be understood that this form of my invention is equally applicable to a single runner blade, and in such an event the single blade (not shown) would depend centrally from the surface 106.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manfest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except in so far as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable skate comprising a heel section having a forwardly extending extension, a sole section having a rearwardly extending extension, one of said extensions comprising a top wall having depending side walls and the other of said extensions comprising a bottom wall having upwardly extending side walls, said walls defining oppositely disposed channels slidably interengaged with each other whereby said heel and sole sections may be relatively moved to vary the length of the skate, and zlocking means carried by said extensions for positively maintaining the skate in a desired position, said locking means comprising a plurality of latching abutments integrally formed on the under surface of said top wall, a pivotal locking finger integrally extending from said -bottom wall toward said abutments but normally disengaged therefrom, and a cam lever mounted on said bottom wall and selectively operable to force said nger into locking engagement with one of said abutments to thereby lock the skate in a desired position of adjustment.

2. The adjustable skate fof claim 1 further characterized in that said heel section is provided with a pair of exible fastening straps integrally extending from opposite sides thereof, said straps normally extending upwardly from said heel section for a short distance and then outwardly therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 576,106 Frankenberg et al. Feb. 2, 1897 967,742 Eckart Aug. 16, 1910 1,458,243 Reach June 12, 1923 1,551,288 Denning Aug. 25, 1925 2,060,578 Kees Nov. 10, 1936 2,904,342 Jones et al. Sept. 15, 1959 

